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Dear friends and park lovers,
I come to you today full of hope about the future of parks. A few of us on the NRPA team got the chance to spend a few days in Detroit to learn more about how folks in and outside of government are advancing parks and open space in a city decimated by decades of economic forces beyond its control, mismanagement, and sheer bad luck.
Crowdfunding: The team at Patronicity, a for-profit crowdfunding start-up, is partnering with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to revolutionize the way grants are applied for, evaluated and approved. Through the Public Spaces Community Places grant,
projects that qualify receive matching dollars to those crowdfunded.
Ebrahim Varachia and his team are working with communities and park and recreation agencies in Michigan, Indiana and Massachusetts to help connect community funding for parks with matching state dollars. Very interesting model!
Conservancies: Detroit Riverfront Conservancy has been stringing together investments along the Detroit Riverfront since 2003,
transforming a moribund stretch of abandoned roads and dilapidated post industrial detritus into exquisitely landscaped and innovatively programmed public spaces.
When we visited, folks of all colors and walks of life were enjoying a summer day on the river. New projects include the Dequinre Cut and additional bike/ped interventions that will help better connect neighborhoods with the river. A new RFP for design of a new park on the southern waterfront recently attracted proposals from leading designers from across the globe. Despite the energy and success, and much like most public agencies that manage parks and open space, the Conservancy struggles to generate
the necessary revenue to maintain and operate their beautiful spaces. No surprise there.
Public Dollars:
The Detroit Park and Recreation budget was slashed on the post recession years from over $60 million dollars to $11 million. Recreation centers were shuttered and parks were abandoned — many to serve as a trash dump. In recent years, due to hard work in the public sector and leadership from acting Director Keith Flourney and Mayor Mike Duggan, the budget has increased to $22 million and a special $11.7 million capital improvement project will lead to the
rehabilitation of 40 neighborhood parks.
The planning department, lead by renowned architect Maurice Cox, is working to designate 10 neighborhoods for additional planning and investment, including the development of 10 new signature parks designed to attract families back into Detroit's neighborhoods. In addition, Cox and his team of planners and landscape architects are working to envision new greenways made up of formerly vacant lots and a park that will include a nine acre solar array alongside community recreational assets.
Huge issues confront Detroit's leaders and residents — schools, transportation, jobs, and questions of equitable and inclusive growth — but, there is an undeniable sense of energy in Detroit. Detroiters across sectors and backgrounds seem committed to their city and many of their leading minds are talking about parks and open space. If you are feeling jaded and disenchanted, if your city is getting you down and you're in need of some inspiration, go take a walk in a park in the Motor
City. As if you need another reason, the food in Detroit is great! Try the perfectly named Park and Rec Diner on Cass and Grand River for lunch, and Selden Standard on 2nd for dinner.
Take Care,
Kevin O'Hara
Vice President of Urban and Government Affairs
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Featured
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Invest in Resilience Before Disaster Strikes
Across the nation heatwaves, droughts and floods have become more frequent and more severe, increasing risks to people, homes, and infrastructure. Between 2011 and 2013, the U.S. experienced 32 weather events that each caused at least one billion dollars in damages.
This Meeting of the Minds article
explains why you should start caring about resiliency now, before disaster strikes in your city.
Whether you have already registered for the NRPA Annual Conference in New Orleans or don't plan to attend this year, you should consider joining park and recreation director's and thought leaders for a high-level, interactive one-day Innovation Lab focused on the future of resilient parks. There is no better opportunity for you to see first-hand how New Orleans is utilizing parks and open space to combat the effects of climate change than at this Innovation Lab. You will also get to collaborate with
thought leaders from around the country to share and learn how cities are facing challenges like rising sea levels, flooding, drought, extreme weather events and more.
Attendance for this Lab is limited to 30 to allow for close dialogue and interaction, so register soon before it sells out. Join us September 28 in New Orleans.
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Related articles:
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Just Released: Parks and Recreation Salary Trends Analysis
Having access to comprehensive compensation data informs park and recreation agency leaders on how to attract the best staff. Conversely, this data also provides park and recreation professionals insights on salary and benefits offerings from potential employers. NRPA's research team recently surveyed senior-level park and recreation professionals from 480 agencies across the United States to develop this comprehensive report analyzing the salary data of five common positions and general information
about benefits and salary policies.
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Trending Topics
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National Park Service
The U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Park Service announced $13.3 million through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program to assist 22 cities in 17 states with projects to plan, build, and enhance parks and other outdoor recreation facilities in underserved communities.
NRPA Open Space Blog
NRPA and the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) were honored to host the new Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center on Thursday, July 20 to see summer meals in action.
CNET
Judge says augmented reality games are free speech and probably shouldn't require event permits.
The New York Times
All varieties of American infrastructure — roads, bridges, airports, sewers — are in decrepit condition.
CityLab
Most of the country understands that when it comes to government, you pay for what you get.
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Outside Magazine
The easiest way to feel happier and healthier and connect with friends? Head to the closest park.
Ensia Magazine
The multi-use trail system is driving economic, environmental and cultural renewal — while saving the city millions of dollars.
Next City
A group of organizations including South Bronx Unite, the New York City Community Land Initiative and the Mott Haven-Port Morris Community Land Stewards want to create a community land trust, and their idea was one of two recently chosen for the Design Trust for Public Space's 2017 Call for Projects.
Next City
In January, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland announced plans to develop a master concept for the city's riverfront. His administration launched a task force and solicited $350,000 in private philanthropic support.
NewsWorks
The parks and recreation centers used in the city of Philadelphia are connective tissue, bringing together neighbors, families, and strangers.
CityLab
Just a few decades ago, Santiago's Mapocho River was known for its terrible odor. Now, the shore will have its own state-of-the-art cycling track, thanks to years of work and pressure by regular citizens.
CityLab
Who will love, and take care of, my neighborhood the way the older residents have?
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Landscape Architecture Magazine
Parks departments across the country are listening to immigrants and designing events and facilities with them in mind.
The Economist
A paper published two years ago in Nature found a correlation between people's sense of well-being and the "scenicness" of where they lived.
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Next City
Cities and counties continue to rely overwhelmingly on often harmful policing and incarceration policies, while under-resourcing more effective and inherently beneficial safety initiatives.
CityLab
A new report fleshes out the controversial demand to cut police department budgets and reallocate those funds into healthcare, housing, jobs, and schools. Will that make communities of color safer?
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© 2017 National Recreation and Park Association, All Rights Reserved
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